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Pop Rock Nation

Author: Jenny

  • I’ve got the blues…

    I’ve got the blues…

    This week has been tough. A bunch of things have been piling up. And now I’ve got the blues…

    A whole bunch of *stuff* piled up on me this week. Most of the stuff is minor, though when it all piles up at once, it can feel like a big load. Often, when I’m feeling depressed, I like to listen to music. Historically, I would choose music from James Taylor, whose voice somehow manages to console me. As my tastes have evolved, so have my musical choices. Though I’m not quite as blue this morning as I’ve been at other times, I thought I’d take a look at some of the songs that soothe me when I’ve got the blues. Note that these songs are not “blues” songs per se, though I may sneak one or two in.


    Eric Clapton sings “Lonely Stranger” from his 1992 Unplugged album.

    I don’t know why, but this song “Lonely Stranger” has been on my mind for the past couple of days. There’s something elegantly beautiful about this sad song, all about being a lonely stranger without a love in the world. That doesn’t describe me today, but it has in the past… or at least it seemed like it did. It’s nice to listen to this, even as I realize it’s been 22 years since Clapton’s Unplugged was released. Man, I feel old.


    James Taylor’s classic song, “Bartender’s Blues”, certainly was a comfort when I worked in the restaurant industry. Anyone who has been a bartender or server can relate. Check out Linda Ronstadt’s searing backup.

    Lots of artists have covered “Bartender’s Blues”. I found a very cool clip of Elvis Costello and Laura Cantrell teaming up on it. Vince Gill, Bonnie Raitt, and George Jones did it. Hell, even Amy Grant sang it!


    This is weird. I never thought I’d hear Amy Grant singing about being a bartender.

    I’ve found Jackson Browne is great when I’m in a low mood. There’s something about his dark piano chords and bitter vocals that just touches me at the core. Some of his melodies are just beautiful. And when he goes for those diminished chords, I just sigh.


    Supposedly, this song is about Jackson Browne’s brief relationship with Joni Mitchell…

    If “Fountain of Sorrow” was really about Joni Mitchell, she’s got to be one of the most inspirational people on the planet.


    Joni Mitchell sings “Blue” in concert.

    Speaking of Joni Mitchell, she’s pretty good for a melancholy song or two herself. I discovered her 1970 album Blue in 1999, when I was recovering from clinical depression. This song seems to be about the druggy culture of the early 70s, but there’s something about the melody that speaks to me when I’ve got the blues.


    Keb’ Mo plays his gorgeous song, “Henry”.

    Just listening to Keb’ Mo’ play “Henry” is enough to bring a lump to my throat. It’s not so much the words that do it as it is the hauntingly gorgeous melody and the sound of Keb’ Mo’s rich vocals.


    Bonnie Raitt sings “Louise”, a song by Paul Siebel.

    “Louise” is the sad ballad of a low class woman of who didn’t have a lot of friends, but was a friend to a lot of lonely men. Bonnie Raitt sings this with so much heart and appreciation as she recalls how Louise died alone and went home alone.


    The Corrs have done an amazing version of REM’s “Everybody Hurts”.

    While I like REM as much as anyone my age does, it’s The Corrs’ heartbreakingly beautiful cover of “Everybody Hurts” that makes me want to pour out the blues with a good cry. There’s something so moving about this rendition, especially given that suicide is a big problem in Ireland. The first time I heard it, I had to have the album it came from, even though it’s out of print.


    Linda Ronstadt sings “Blue Bayou”…

    And finally, here’s Linda Ronstadt in her prime, singing a soaring version of “Blue Bayou”, a song written by the late Roy Orbison. I love to sing this one myself, but no one does it quite how Linda does. And this melancholy song with its hopeful lyrics are helpful when I need to get over the blues.

  • 2Cellos … you’ve never heard the cello played like this before!

    2Cellos … you’ve never heard the cello played like this before!

    2Cellos combines classic instruments with classic rock with awesome results!

    The other day, my Facebook feed was inundated with videos by two handsome guys who play the cello. When I think of cello music, I think of soothing classical music by composers who have been dead for at least two hundred years. But these two guys were not playing classical music. They were playing classic rock. I was blown away as I watched them saw their strings playing a wicked version of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”.


    I have never heard “Thunderstruck” played quite like this.

    The men behind 2Cellos are Slovenian born Luka Šulić and Croatian born Stjepan Hauser and boy can they play! I had to know more about these guys, so I went to YouTube to see if there were any more videos of them. Sure enough, I discovered them playing “Welcome To The Jungle”. Yes, the very same song by Guns N’ Roses that featured Axl Rose and Slash trading vocal and guitar snarls was played by these two cellists.


    Here’s a pretty cool video of them jamming for the public. Notice how their bow strings get totally shredded when they play.

    Their version of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” was apparently what landed them a record deal with Sony Masterworks in 2011.


    I like the little taste of “Billie Jean” in 2Cellos’ version of “Smooth Criminal”.

    Even Elton John is impressed by 2Cellos!


    Like so many others, Elton John discovers music on YouTube! He asked 2Cellos to join his band.

    Elton John says these two guys have a “homoerotic” way of playing together, though they aren’t gay. He compares them to himself and Bernie Taupin, when they compose songs together.

    Obviously 2Cellos has been around for awhile now. I’m kind of embarrassed that I’m just now discovering their music. I am certainly impressed, as obviously a lot of other people are. They’ve already made a huge name for themselves in Japan. Judging by the number of people sharing their “Thunderstruck” video over the weekend, many more people are making their first discovery of their music.


    A soothing 2Cellos version of Sting’s “Fields of Gold”.

    They do also play classical music, of course. Elton John invites everyone to listen to how these guys play Vivaldi.


    Just breathtaking!

    But I’m guessing most people are far more interested in their rock and roll stylings. Here they are playing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana.


    Not only do they play this classic song masterfully, but they do it with style and panache.

    I think I’m in love. I would put up a link to their CD, but I think these guys are the type of performers you need to see to believe. I would definitely buy their DVD over their CD.

  • My new red dress…

    My new red dress…

    A few songs inspired me to buy my new red dress…

    My husband Bill and I didn’t go out on Valentine’s Day last week. By the time Bill thought to make reservations somewhere, most of the tables at the better restaurants in San Antonio were booked. We could have gone to Dick’s Last Resort and that might have been a lot of fun, but somehow it seemed wrong to celebrate Valentine’s Day at a place with the word “Dick” in its name, even if Dick is a person and not a thing. I didn’t have anything decent to wear, anyway.

    The other night, I asked Facebook friends if I should buy a red dress. I got a lot of affirmative answers. One person reminded me of a song that was very popular in the 1980s and later used in commercials…


    Yes, it’s Chris De Burgh singing “The Lady In Red”. I have to admit, I really like this live version.

    Truth be told, I’ve never been a huge fan of this song. In fact, back in 1986, when it was a very popular number, I actually disliked “The Lady In Red” because it was always on the radio. But I remembered the breathtaking mood of Chris DeBurgh’s now classic song and decided to buy the dress, which arrived yesterday. The dress I bought was recently modeled by a college friend who has lost a lot of weight and inspires others to follow her lead. It looks really great on her.

    The same dress is now hanging in my closet. I tried it on last night, thinking the color was a little brighter than I would prefer. I’m not one to call a lot of attention to myself by what I’m wearing. I try to get attention with my larger than life personality. My husband likes it, but I’m not sure how often I’ll wear it. It’s pretty daring for someone like me.


    I’m not exactly 80s era Kelly LeBrock, though this song by Stevie Wonder is more to my liking than “The Lady In Red” is.

    Ultimately, I decided to buy my new red dress because most of the dresses I have for nights on the town are black. They are comfortable and practical, especially since they can be washed at home. They don’t wrinkle and show off my décolletage, which is probably the best part of my figure. I usually pair my black dresses with a pretty silk shawl. I decided my wardrobe could use more color. I needed “something in red”.


    I sort of identified with Lorrie Morgan’s song, “Something in Red”.

    Of course, I can’t think of red dresses without also thinking of Reba McEntire’s classic hit from 1990, “Fancy”…


    My new dress is red, but it’s not a “satin dancing dress with a split clean up to my hip”.

    But even when I was 18, I wasn’t one for wearing flashy red dresses. I have never “been nice to the gentlemen” for the sake of propelling myself into high society, either. If that were the case, I would probably be a lady who lunches rather than one who writes on music blogs and rarely wears makeup, let alone bright red dresses.

    I just decided I wanted a new red dress in my closet, complete with new red shoes. I’m glad I bought it, too. At least next year on Valentine’s Day, I’ll be prepared for a night out on the town, hopefully not at Dick’s Last Resort. On the other hand, maybe Dick’s Last Resort really is the perfect place for me.

    Have a nice weekend, everybody!